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The new discount card of Albert Heijn
The supermarket chain Albert Heijn introduced their new discount card last month. So what’s new about it? Nothing at all. Well, that is to say: if you personalise your new discount card, making it into a personal discount card, you’ll get three times the benefits, the advertisements say. Three times what benefits, exactly? “Personal offers…
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The function of functions
What do a captain, a cook and a carpenter have in common? They all work aboard a ship, and they each have their own tasks and responsibilities: navigating the ship, preparing the meals and making repairs when necessary. They relate to each other as a hierarchy: the captain is in charge. And even though they…
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Technology should work for us, not rule us
Higher employment rates, less government spendings, lower taxes. A larger, stronger economy and a more comfortable life for everyone. More safety. All of these things are possible when technology takes up its proper place in society, and if the government enables that. Serving society, with goals set in advance and with clear expectations — not…
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Automation and digitalisation
Automation and digitalisation have become synonymous with cheaper and more efficient. Cheapness and efficiency — what company or government wouldn’t want that, in an age characterised by widespread budget cuts and a search for better margins, a goal that’s considered achieved when there’s an increase by one cent per unit? If we continue automating and…
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Hierarchical crisis
When it comes down to it, it’s the Board of Directors that calls the shots for an organisation. Therefore, its members should be appointed based on the value they can provide for the company, based on the world we currently live in. We usually assume that the Board of Directors is the highest attainable position…
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‘Appetite for Ambition’, speech at the Opening of the Academic Year 2013-2014 at Eindhoven University of Technology
Ladies – fortunately once again I see more of you than the previous year – and gentlemen, students and staff, I want to thank you very much for your invitation. I received your invitation as many as six months ago, which goes to show the high ambitions and careful preparation for this very special day,…